medroxyprogesterone (injection)

What is the most important information I should know about medroxyprogesterone?

Medroxyprogesterone can decrease the calcium stored in your bones, which may cause bone loss (osteoporosis) when the medicine is used over long periods of time. Bone loss may not be reversible.

You may be more likely to have a broken bone if your bones get weak from calcium loss, especially after menopause. You should not use this medicine for longer than 2 years unless other birth control methods are not right for you.

What is medroxyprogesterone?

Medroxyprogesterone is a form of progesterone, a female hormone that prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). This medicine also causes changes in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.

Medroxyprogesterone is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. It is also used to reduce pain caused by endometriosis.

Medroxyprogesterone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using medroxyprogesterone?

• abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor;
• liver disease;
• breast cancer; or
• a history of stroke or blood clot.

Medroxyprogesterone can decrease the calcium stored in your bones, which may cause bone loss (osteoporosis) when the medicine is used over long periods of time. Bone loss may not be reversible.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• light or irregular menstrual periods;
• risk factors for osteoporosis (such as low bone mineral density, a family history of osteoporosis, drinking large amounts of alcohol, or if you smoke);
• a breast lump, an abnormal mammogram, or bleeding from your nipples;
• kidney disease;
• high blood pressure;
• breast cancer (in you or a family member);
• diabetes;
• depression, or an eating disorder;
• seizures;
• asthma; or
• migraine headaches.

Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, or if you plan to become pregnant soon after you stop using medroxyprogesterone.

How should I use medroxyprogesterone?

Medroxyprogesterone is injected into a muscle or under the skin. A healthcare provider will give you this injection once every 3 months (12 to 14 weeks).

You may have breakthrough bleeding while using medroxyprogesterone. Tell your doctor if this bleeding continues or is very heavy.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using medroxyprogesterone.

Your doctor will need to see you on a regular basis while you are using medroxyprogesterone. If you use this medicine long-term, your bone density may need to be checked during treatment.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Medroxyprogesterone will not be effective in preventing pregnancy if you do not receive an injection every 3 months.

If you plan to continue using this medicine, get the missed injection as soon as possible. Use a non-hormonal back-up birth control (such as a condom or diaphragm with spermicide) until you receive the missed injection.

You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before you receive a missed injection.

If more than 14 weeks have passed since your last injection, you may be able to get pregnant. The longer you wait between injections, the more likely you are to get pregnant.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while using medroxyprogesterone?

This medicine will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases--including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases.

What are the possible side effects of medroxyprogesterone?

• menstrual periods that are heavier or longer than normal;
• severe pain in your lower stomach;
• swelling in your face, or your hands, ankles, and feet;
• pain, bleeding, oozing (pus), or skin changes where the injection was given;
• symptoms of depression (sleep problems, weakness, mood changes);
• liver problems --upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• signs of a blood clot --sudden numbness or weakness, severe headache, chest pain, sudden cough, coughing up blood; problems with vision or speech, swelling or pain in an arm or leg.

Common side effects may include:

• changes in your menstrual periods;
• weakness, feeling tired;
• stomach pain;
• feeling nervous;
• decreased sexual drive;
• weight gain;
• headache, dizziness; or
• lumps or dimpling in your skin where injections were given.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect medroxyprogesterone?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can lower your blood levels of medroxyprogesterone and make it less effective in preventing pregnancy.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• St. John's wort;
• sleep medicine;
• seizure medicine;
• medicine to treat an infection;
• HIV or AIDS medication;
• bosentan;
• modafinil; or
• mitotane.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect medroxyprogesterone. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about medroxyprogesterone.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 12.01. Revision date: 4/7/2021.